HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As expected, it was a quick meeting for the Reno County Commission. Commissioners agreed to reschedule the Oct. 16 meeting to Friday, Oct. 19.

They also approved a request from District 3 Fire Chief Bobby White to purchase extraction tools for $34,420. The tools will be paid through the special equipment fund.

Community Corrections Director Randy Regehr spoke about his program and how it focuses a lot on high-risk clients to try to change their behavior and keep them from going to prison.

He says they have a lot of high-risk clients because of the number of depositional departures granted by district judges. That puts Reno County third in the state behind Sedgwick and Wyandotte Counties.

Reno County District Judge Joe McCarville talked about the reasons for granting departures in criminal cases:

 

He adds that he also has a lot of faith in the community corrections program in Reno County, which he calls one of the best in the state. For those who aren’t familiar with this program, Judge McCarville explains the program and all the things included to help clients get back on track:

 

Regehr and McCarville both agree that they are saving the state around $5.4 million by placing those convicted of crimes on corrections as opposed to sending them to prison.